Legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram met Virat Kohli ahead of the India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s tie in Colombo on September 10 and gave the modern-era great a compliment which left him smiling.
After the first encounter between India and Pakistan in Kandy was a no result due to rains, this match between the two sides was so important for the ACC, that the governing body even allotted it a reserve day in order to be ready for rains.
Before the match began, the discussion on the television between the broadcasters or commentators was centered on Virat Kohli, who had made a single-digit score against Pakistan in Kandy.
Former legendary Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram revealed during the discussion that he gave Virat Kohli a compliment when he met the batter before the game.
"Today I walked past him and told Virat Kohli that you come in my dreams now. He replied saying 'what do you mean Wasim bhai? I told him because I see so much of you all on the television screen. I just can't get him out of my mind," Akram said on Star Sports.
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Akram went on to say that players like Kohli, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the match winners and important in big matches.
"Virat, Babar, Shaheen and all these match winners, they play this game for these moments – India vs Pakistan. I mean, for Pakistan everybody wants to perform and vice-versa. This is just made or break. Not for guys like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam but for young guys. These games are fun. Yesterday, the whole Colombo was buzzing," added Akram.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. India made two changes with Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul coming in the playing XI.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 121 runs for the opening wicket and hit their respective half-centuries before getting dismissed.